A Mexican fisherman docked his tiny boat at the pier of the small coastal Mexican village, as he did most days. Inside the fishing boat were several large yellowfin tuna. A passing American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican simply replied “not long”. The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he’d caught enough to support the immediate needs of his family. The American then asked “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman explained. “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife Maria and stroll into the village each evening to sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life”. The American scoffed at this and said “I have a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and buy a bigger boat with the proceeds”. He went on to advise that “with the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually owning a fleet. You could open your own cannery and start selling directly to the processor. Of course you’d need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise”.

The Mexican fisherman asked “But how long would all this take?” The American said “15 – 20 years”. “But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said “Well that’s the best part. When the time is right you could sell your company, you’d make millions! You could retire to a small coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife and stroll to the village each evening to sip wine and play guitar with your amigos”.